Archive - Jun 2012 - Obituary
June 14th
James R. Fortner, 71, of Benton passed away Tuesday, June 12, at his home. He was born on October 9, 1940 in Cale to the late Arley Franklin and Vivian Lucille Jones Fortner. Mr. Fortner attended the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Vilonia and the United Missionary Baptist Church in Salem. He loved to play the guitar, served in the U. S. Army,  and was a mobile equipment operator for Alcoa for 32 years.
In addition to his parents his wife, Betty Garren Fortner and son, Jody Fortner also preceded him in death, both in 2009.
Charlie L. Whitt, 74, of Benton passed away on June 12. Charlie was born on July 9, 1937 to David and Betsy Whitt in Roland. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He will be missed by all his family and friends.
Charlie is preceded in death by his loving wife, Margie Whitt and his parents.
Wanda Sue Mansfield, 77, of Benton, died June 12. She was born September 23, 1935 in Bauxite to Bernard Arkel and Mary Jewel Brown. She graduated from Bauxite High School in 1953. In the fall, she entered Henderson State University where she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. On July 31, 1955, she married James Ross Mansfield and together they moved to Norfolk, Virginia. While he served in the Navy, Wanda worked as a secretary at the naval base. In 1958, they returned to Arkansas and she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA). Her tea
Billy Gene Pennington, 74, of Little Rock, passed away June 10, 2012. He was a 1958 graduate of the Arkansas School for the Deaf, and volunteered at the school’s Museum.
He is preceded in death by his stepfather and mother, Bill and Sibyl Dedman Terry and a sister, Mary Jo Martindale,
June 13th
Tamara Leanne Skaggs-Graves, 15, of Mabelvale passed away on June 8. She was born Dec. 12, 1996, in Little Rock.
She was a straight-A honor student at Bryant High School.
Tamara was very creative; she loved to draw, write short stories and reading. She also loved to hunt and fish.
Tamara was preceded in death by her grandfather, David E. Manson.
June 12th
Lora Peek, 89 of Benton died Sunday, June 10, in Bryant. She was born September 5, 1922 the daughter of the late Robert Allen and Rettie Isabella Hardy Peek. Lora was retired from the Timex Corp. in Little Rock.
She was preceded in death by one sister, Lovice Garner; two brothers, Lual Peek and Leamon Peek.
She is survived by one sister, Loice Peek of Benton and one niece.
Services will be 10 a.m.,Wednesday, June 13 at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Body will lie n state Tuesday, June 12 at the funeral home.
David Ray Dickerson Sr., 65, of Benton, passed away Saturday, June 9. He was born September 27, 1946 in Morton. Mr. Dickerson worked at the Benton Service Center for 30 years. His grandkids and his flowers were his joy in life.Â
He was preceded in death by his parents, Velma Brawley and Kaylor Monroe Dickerson and two brothers, Billy Dickerson and Kaylor Dickerson II.
He is survived by two children, Branda Blakley and David Dickerson Jr.; sister, Veleta Green; three grandchildren, Kaylor, Devlyn and Chloe and his ex-wife and friend, Nancy Smith.
Dalton L. “Buddy” Northern Jr., 65, of Benton; lost his battle to cancer and passed away peacefully Sunday, June 10. He was born November 19, 1946 in Little Rock, to the late Dalton L. Northern Sr.
George D. Phillips, 83 of Shannon Hills, passed away June 9. He was born April 2, 1929 in Greenbrier, to the late James Phillips and Versie (Hostiter) Phillips.
Mr. Phillips was retired from ABF Freight after 40 years of service.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Sylvia; sisters Lilly Bell Waggle, Olie McCall and Josie Foster; and brothers Eddie Phillips and Junior Phillips.
Our Angel, Makenzie Kaylee Flores, went to Heaven on Saturday, June 9, at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. She was born October 2, 2002, in Little Rock.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Elmer Berry and Dimple Nicklaus, both of Benton; Robert and Anna Evans of Alexander; an uncle, Thomas Flores of Jacksonville; and great-uncles, Dan Evans and David Berry Sr..
